The film looks at the way these two seemingly very different practices, united by a common material, share basic principles such as: creativity, discipline, dedication, muscle memory and balance. Through this unusual comparison I believe that we can come to better understand the artistry in both crafts, and in so doing reflect on humanity's relationship with the material world.

Watch the video above to see a short trailer, which will give you a taste of what to expect from the film. In it, the narrator discusses the two fathers of modern bouldering and letter cutting – Eric Gill and John Gill – who, it turns out, share so much more than just a last name!

[STRETCH GOAL - 11/08/2014]

Dear Backers and all the future Backers,

We are very grateful that we had achieved our first goal of £6,000. As there is still 2.5 days left to the end of campaign, we have decided to stretch our goal to £7,000. Any extra pledges that we receive will be put directly towards hiring more sophisticated filming equipment, such a pro Steadycam and operator.

John Gill (top) & Eric Gill (bottom)

In the film, the narrative discussing the two Gills, and bouldering's relationship to letter cutting, will be depicted through two contemporary masters of their crafts: Lucy Creamer, the most accomplished female climber in Britain and Richard Kindersley, the pre-eminent letter cutter and maker of standing stones.

Lucy Creamer (top) & Richard Kindersley's work (bottom)

Both the script and the cinematography will be crafted in unusual ways, particular to the film’s vision. For example, Peter and I have been developing a unique method of writing that will turn our script into a bouldering route! This will create a structure and rhythm to the film akin to climbing itself!

Jakub climbing the script!

The cinematography is where most of our budget is going. We will be using high-speed cameras to record both the minute detail and the dynamic beauty inherent to both of these art-forms. In doing so, we hope to capture these crafts as they’ve never been captured before. Further to this, the budget will cover a professional post-production and editing process, enabling us to craft a film worthy of the crafts it depicts.

[RELAUNCH NEWS]

For those of you following and backing our earlier campaign, we had a re-think which has allowed us to set a more modest Kickstarter goal.

We will still be using state-of-the-art cameras with high speed capabilities but have decided to forgo some of the more expensive filming equipment and the extra crew members required to operate it (for example the crane to film Lucy climbing). We'll still be able to create a beautiful and imaginative film with the same artistic vision and script, just done in a slightly different way.

If we reach our funding target we will launch a STRETCH goal, with any additional funds going towards more elaborate cinematography and the soundtrack.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

By backing Gill & Gill you will become one of its authors, because without your help this film simply can’t happen! And remember – a pledge of even one pound is not just about the money: It’s about showing support to get this film made!

TAKING PART is EASY. It's just a few simple steps:

1. Click the "BACK THIS PROJECT" green button to the right of our appeal video.

2. SIGN UP (if you are not signed up already)

3. CHOOSE THE REWARD and PLEDGE

If you like 'Gill & Gill' PLEASE SHARE this page with your friends by clicking the buttons under the video to share it on Facebook and Twitter. It's a massive help if you do!

OUR AWESOME INCENTIVES

Some examples:

T-SHIRTS: Very special t-shirts made in collaboration with the Peckham Print Studio in London. Each t-shirt is numbered in the edition of 100 and totally unique - made through a labour intensive hand-marbling process. They range in colour through the greyscale spectrum, so please specify whether you would like a white, grey or black version. Depending on availability we will do our best to match your request. Become a backer soon to get an early number in the edition and your preferred colour!

A sample of one of the limited-edition t-shirts

4 more samples - each t-shirt is totally unique!

Louis wearing one of the limited-edition tees

The t-shirts' beautiful hand-marbling

CLIMBING WITH LUCY CREAMER: A private bouldering lesson for you in the Peak District with Lucy - a golden opportunity to learn from the master herself.

CARVING WITH RICHARD KINDERSLEY: A one-to-one letter carving lesson with Richard in his London studio - a rare chance to learn from the master himself.

SCRAPBOOK: Our beautiful digital scrapbook: containing the script, research photos, annotations from the director, writer and cinematographer, and lots of other bonus material.

CLIMBING WITH THE DIRECTOR AND WRITER

RENT OUT A THEATRE/ HOLD A PRIVATE SCREENING

AND MANY MORE!!! (Have a look on the right.)

THE FILM'S LEGACY

Alongside our aim to show the film at film-festivals around the world, our longer term plan is to develop a standing stone featuring climbable, carved letters designed in collaboration with Richard and Lucy, our two featured artists. This freestanding sculpture will exist at a location bearing significance to the UK’s climbing community, providing a legacy for the project.

Standing stone with climbable carved letters.

THE TEAM

About me. My name is Louis-Jack Horton-Stephens and I am an artist and filmmaker working in London.

As an artist, I am fascinated by how we inhabit the world we have built through our crafts and traditions. I believe everything we do is tinged with creativity, because I find artistry everywhere I look. For example, the last film I made compared the craft Lute making to the act of playing the instrument and writing music for it. You can see more about me and past work on my website.

Alongside the crew and post-production team, all experts in their fields, I’ll be working with artist and designer Peter Shenai and cinematographer Elliot Dollie – both long-term collaborators.

Peter and Elliot filming the trailer

Thank you very much for your time and support.

Risks and challenges

In order to make the film to the very high standard that we want, whilst doing so with a reasonable budget, means that we are going to be asking favours from friends who are professionals in the film and TV industry. From past experience we know that this can sometimes delay progress a little but we have factored it into our delivery estimates.

Bad weather may delay our shoot days with Lucy. We have minimised this risk by giving ourselves a window of days to choose from at the last minute and by having rain-safe backup locations.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £40 or more
About US$ 51

T-SHIRT. A very very special limited-edition T-shirt available only to Kickstarter backers. Each one is exclusively numbered and completely unique! Hand-marbled by Peckham Print Studio in London. See photos of samples. Plus all previous perks excluding DVD.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £60 or more
About US$ 76

T-SHIRT & DVD. A very very special limited-edition T-shirt available only to Kickstarter backers. Each one is exclusively numbered and completely unique! Hand-marbled by Peckham Print Studio in London. Plus DVD and all previous perks.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £150 or more
About US$ 188

THANKS IN THE CREDITS + T-SHIRT, POSTER & DVD. Your name in lights! You will be thanked in the credits of the film for your crucial support. Plus, the combo pack of our limited-edition T-shirt, poster and DVD, and all previous perks. You rock!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £350 or more
About US$ 438

CLIMBING WITH US, THANKS & £150 INCENTIVE. A climbing session for you and a friend with the Director and Writer in London. A great chance to meet you, thank you, talk about the film and have fun climbing. (Travel and accommodations not included.) Plus everything in the £150 perk, including thanks in the credits. N.B. If you'd rather not climb, we'd love to take you for dinner instead!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £500 or more
About US$ 626

SCREENING, THANKS & £150 INCENTIVE. A special screening of the film in your institution, club, home, etc. and a Q&A session with the Director and the Writer. A big thanks in the credits plus everything else in the £150 package. (We are based in London. Our travel and accommodation is not included.) N.B. If you'd rather not do the screening, we'd love to take you for dinner instead!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £800 or more
About US$ 1,001

CLIMBING WITH LUCY CREAMER, THANKS & £150 INCENTIVE. A private bouldering/ climbing lesson with Lucy Creamer in the Peak District - a very rare opportunity to learn from the Master herself! A big thanks in the credits plus everything else in the £150 package. (Travel and accommodation not included.) N.B. If you'd rather not climb, we'd love to take you for dinner instead!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £800 or more
About US$ 1,001

CARVING WITH RICHARD KINDERSLEY, THANKS & £150 INCENTIVE. A private letter carving lesson with Richard Kindersley in his London studio - a very rare opportunity to learn from the Master himself! A big thanks in the credits plus everything else in the £150 package. (Travel and accommodation not included.) N.B. If you'd rather not carve, we'd love to take you for dinner instead!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £1,500 or more
About US$ 1,876

ASSOCIATE PRODUCER CREDIT & CARVING WITH RICHARD/ CLIMBING WITH LUCY. Associate Producer Credit and either a climbing lesson with Lucy Creamer or a carving lesson with Richard Kindersley. You have been fundamental in making the film a reality! Plus everything in the £150 package. (Travel and accommodation not included). N.B. If you'd rather not climb/ carve, we'd love to take you for a fancy dinner instead!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £2,500 or more
About US$ 3,127

CINEMA SCREENING & EXECUTIVE PRODUCER CREDIT. We will hold a screening in a theatre in a town of your choice with a Q&A. Plus a credit as an Executive Producer. Plus you get everything in the £150 package. N.B. If you'd rather not do the screening, we'd love to take you for a fancy dinner instead!